Camilo Valencia: One Heart At A Time - A Remembrance (1959-2003)

Camilo Valencia, a soul brimming with boundless passion, sadly died on September 6, 2023 after undergoing a third heart transplant. He thus carried the weight of four hearts throughout his journey, each pulsating with an ardent desire to share his musical gifts with the world.

During his career, Camilo Valencia racked up credits working on projects for international stars such as Shakira, Carlos Santana, Nestor Torres, David Byrne, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, Natalia Jimenez, Wyclef Jean, and many others, and received many Awards including Emmy Award.

The acclaimed arranger, producer, musician and performer unfortunately wasn't able to accept his Two Latin GRAMMY Awards that he received in Seville, Spain on November 16, 2023 for his album Camilo Valencia, Richard Bravo—Made in Miami. Tragically, that project was the only album of his own that Camilo Valencia recorded.

Camilo Valencia was born in Cuba. When he turned 11, he moved to Miami where many music styles from a rainbow of cultures collide. His last album Made In Miami highlights the city's vibrant musical diversity, incorporating captivating elements of pop, jazz, funk, r&b, bebop, songo, salsa, samba, and Afro Cuban.

Camilo was featured as musician and/or producer on more than 60 high profile albums including Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), and others by Wyclef Jean, Shakira, Amaury Gutierrez, Ricky Martin, and Louis Enrique. He was also featured on hundreds of albums. He enjoyed touring with his friends and playing live. Camilo was a very modest person and did not like to promote his own name as a major artist. "I am just a simple guy from Hialeah," he often told his friends who wanted to applaud his impeccable work, with his "signature" ironic smile. But there is not a single day that goes by in Miami, whether on the radio or television, without the music that he composed, performed or produced being heard.

Camilo's dry sense of humor and self irony was very well known among musicians. "Flak" or "Flako" that is what his friends called him with love and respect.

Camilo Valencia devoted his time to being a teacher and the director of television shows such as La Voz Kids, A Oscuras Pero Encendidos and Viva El Sueño and created countless jingles for commercials alongside "the Miami Sounds Legend" Carlos Oliva.

Camilo often repeated Ernest Hemingway's quote to his friends "Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the Romance of the unusual." Camilo followed that advice and left a legacy of exquisitely crafted songs, featuring an irresistible fusion of pop, jazz, funk, and cha-cha. His legacy is not only a testament to his musical genius but also stands as a loving tribute to his memory. A beloved icon in the industry, the entire Latin musical community came to pay their respects to Valencia and played his music at the funeral in the city of Hialeah where he created his masterpieces.

Others have paid tribute to Camilo Valencia which are included below:

Richard Bravo

I can't stop crying. Can't believe that Cami passed away. Nothing will replace him in my heart. It was one night in 1989 when I met Camilo Valencia, I was just a boy who played percussions with the soul. I was amazed to have a chance to play with Camilo Valencia and all musicians whom I watched since I was a child on the TV show "The Joy Fair." That day my Big Bro Camilo and Calos Oliva marked the beginning of my music career. They taught me about the business of music and guided me to be what I am today. Camilo flipped me on my first recording when he told me that he saw something special in my way of playing, he gave me the opportunity to mature as a percussionist and developed my technique and taste. Camilo started recommending me to almost every major producer I know and little by little he became my mentor, my big brother and my unconditional friend.

Arturo Sandoval

It's unfortunate news; he was an incredible musician and a lovely person. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans. RIP.

Al Di Meola

Camilo was wonderful musician, composer and arranger. I always wanted to do a project with him. So sad that it will not happen. Rest in Peace, Camilo.

Alex Sino

I am saddened by the death of my great friend, my co-writer and co-producer Camilo Valencia. God loved you, Camilo, and gave you 4 hearts to live and write the beautiful music. You were raised in Miami and your music shall stay with us and will sound in Miami forever. I can't believe that we lost you, Cami... My deepest condolences to friends and family. We will never forget you.

Milton Salcedo

Pianist, composer

You will live forever my beloved brother, friend, and compadre Camilo Valencia. 4 hearts was the greatest proof of God's love. My heartfelt condolences to the beautiful Valencias family who was battling at all times with him.

Terry Heimat

Composer, conductor

Here's what Camille told me after the surgery. These were his last words: "Hey Terry! Yeah, still recovering from transplant. I lost 37 pounds so I look very skinny but all tests look great and my energy is very good. Started playing (working) already." Camilo! I think your heart will now beat forever in sync to the rhythm of that blessed music you created.

Lilian García

Vocalist with Camilito at the Crescent Moon!

I can't even remember what were we recording... Camilo was the kind of person I would say yes to no matter what the project was. He was always so professional, protective of his fellow artist's rights, and so correct. I always knew he watched my back! Yet we would laugh for hours, talking nonsense, making inappropriate jokes...too much fun! God I will miss him!

Greg Diaz

Musician

I first met Camilo back in 1982. Back then, I knew him as a very talented saxophonist and flutist. A few years later, I was playing his big band compositions and arrangements at MDC Kendall directed by John Georgini (formerly MDCC South) and I was absolutely amazed and blown away by how great and unique these charts were!

While it was evident he learned from the earlier masters, he took that knowledge and went outside the box by combining different timbres, woodwind doubles, and timely space to create his unique framework. I learned tremendously by listening to his arrangements over and over again. Camilo was one of the best arrangers I ever known, met, or even listened to. He inspired me to write my own big band arrangements even though it took me another 25 years to muster up the courage to begin writing.

Lindsey Blair

Guitarist

A great man has left us. He was truly loved by his friends and family. My heart goes out to his family and his many many close friends. I can't say any more, its a shock.

Carlos Solis

Musician, Band leader

It's a sad day. Yesterday I lost my dear friend for 40+ years. The music world lost an incredible talent. My Arranger, Producer Camilo Valencia. Love to his family.

Zorimar Betancourt

Vocalist

It's not easy tonight. There are no words to say goodbye to a person who has meant so much to me. Camilo Valencia I know that Stefano Steenbakkers was your host at the gates of heaven and will teach you what life is like in a place where there is no pain or disease. Where you can dance, sing and celebrate in meadows full of so many colors that there are no names to describe them. Where time doesn't exist. Where you can see us and take care of us until the day when we can reach you and embrace you to infinity.

You are an extremely special being who was with me after the loss of my dear Stefano. That heart that Stef gave you lasted you long enough to show me what the magic of organ donation means. I

Thank you Flakie for your friendship, your love, your advice and your unconditional support. Rest in peace. Love you to the moon and back.

Jorge A. Solino

Music Video Director

Another sad day today. Of the things that one suffers the most when we get old, one is the changes in our qualities and physical possibilities and another is that the beings you love and appreciate the most, among family and friends, begin to disappear. Today is one that we are going to miss a lot and I feel tremendous sadness as I write these lines. I met Camilo Valencia when I did my first job in the USA in July 1995 and from there until he got seriously ill a few days ago, we did a lot of work together and we had projects for the future. Incredible human being who fought for years for his life, and who in the midst of the vicissitudes of that process, never lost his joviality and his love for music. Rest in peace, my little brother. We will never forget you.

Rafael Valencia

I always said, my brother Camilo was the Man! Here in Miami, not a day goes by that I turn on the radio or the TV and something that Camilo did doesn't come on. The Latin Grammy that I got for Made in Miami for Best Arrangement of "Songo Bop" was a gift that Camilo gave me before he left.

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